By By Dwight Foxx
Staff Writer
Augusta Chronicle

"He's much more comfortable. He's much better prepared, more mature. And he belongs; and he knows he belongs."
Earl Woods, on son's second Masters

Two-time U.S. Amateur champion Tiger Woods wasn't talking during Monday's practice round at the Augusta National Golf Club.

The elder Woods said his son might turn pro early if the NCAA continues its recent scrutiny during his two-year collegiate career. Woods was penalized for the third time in his collegiate career in October 1995 when the NCAA found him in violation of rules for allowing well-meaning Arnold Palmer to pick up a $25 dinner tab.

``I don't worry about those people,'' the elder Woods said of the NCAA, who was chastised for having his walk-man in the club late Monday evening. ``You can't worry about Jell-O bureaucrats like that. You can't win. Acknowledge your existence and go on to better things.''

The elder Woods doesn't expect Tiger to go pro because of ``his sheer love of Stanford University and the college life.''

``But he does get frustrated with the rulings and the scrutiny he has been put under,'' Earl Woods said.

Woods said his son is not in awe about playing against the best golfers in the world this week. He says he's better prepared for his second Masters than he was in 1995.

``He's much more comfortable,'' Woods said. ``He's much better prepared, more mature. And he belongs; and he knows he belongs.''

The 20-year-old played with Greg Norman on Monday and will play with Norman again today. His dad said Tiger is scheduled to play with Palmer and Jack Nicklaus on Wednesday.

Woods spent an abundant amount of time working on his putting after his round with Norman. Dad said it's a priority whenever they go to a tournament.

``That's what we focus on when we get here,'' the elder Woods said. ``He trusts me with his putting. I know him. I taught him. Putting is putting regardless of green conditions. They're either going to be dry and fast or wet and fast.''

There is a game plan for each hole, he said. For example, for No. 1 they may decide to use a driver with a draw over the right bunker. Or the backup plan may be to use a 3-wood with a fade down the left side.

``How he feels determines which way he goes,'' Woods said. The elder Woods believes in his heart that his son can win this week in only his second Masters.

``I love to see him use his talents to overcome challenges,'' Woods said. ``I've been watching this entire process since he was 6 months olds. I knew then he was going to be a good golfer. I knew I had a great athlete on my hands when he was 10 months old.''